Darts star reveals he played for Manchester United

Although things haven’t exactly gone swimmingly since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Manchester United remain a gargantuan institution and they inspired many a youngster to put on their football boots.

It was Ferguson who inspired a generation of footballers to produce brilliant things inside the confines at Old Trafford.

From the likes of Gary Neville to Paul Scholes, much of their careers can be attributed to now-84-year-old’s brilliance on the touchline.

The fiery Scotsman was at the helm of one of England’s most successful clubs between 1986 and 2013 – and he oversaw 13 Premier League trophies and the solitary Champions League.

It was relatively joyful supporting the club during his reign and there are many celebrities who have a fondness of United’s rich history and charm.

Usain Bolt, the fastest man of all-time, is among those who are devoted to the Old Trafford outfit and he is part of a very esteemed fanbase.

There are millions and millions of people around the world that turn their televisions on to watch the Red Devils week-on-week – and that includes darts world No15 Nathan Aspinall.

Born and raised in Stockport, Aspinall has always been a huge fan of Manchester United and he recently insisted that he actually featured for the club.

While speaking to Sky Sports, per The Sun, the 34-year-old claimed that he had aspirations of becoming a professional goalkeeper.

In fact, he revealed that he actually played for the club’s goalkeeping academy before moving onto pastures new, which included a trial at local club Stockport.

“I wanted to be David Beckham as a goalkeeper,” he said. “I played at a decent standard. I was at the Man United goalkeeping academy. I had trials for Stockport and got offered a contract at Rangers.

“I played semi-pro for a season. I always wanted to be a footballer, most kids growing up wanted to be like their idols playing football. I had a little taste of it. But when it came to the crunch, I wasn’t tall enough.”

Although Aspinall struggled to make the grade between the sticks, he’s found solace in becoming a force to be reckoned with at the oche.

Nicknamed ‘The Asp’, the Englishman – who won the UK Open in 2019 – also admitted to attending plenty of matches as a youngster.

“In my childhood my dad was a massive Manchester United fan, we had a season ticket,” he said.

“We used to go to games all the times and it’s a special place, Old Trafford. Back in the day when I first started watching United we were winning everything.

“Not quite like that now but just amazing memories going to Old Trafford with my dad,” he continued before naming David Beckham as his footballing inspiration.

“For me, the David Beckham goal from the halfway line. I think that was what put him on the map. Certainly for me as a young lad, I remember getting the David Beckham hairdo with the curtains.

“I did have a skinhead! Unfortunately I never had the right foot. I actually have a photo of me with the David Beckham curtains. I don’t think I could pull it off now. But back in the day it was all in.”